(Via cogdogblog) Since I got tagged as a huckster the last time I floated an interesting use of one of these tools in the classroom, let me state clearly that I offer these up simply to get people thinking about what can be done. Sometimes I get a bit too excited about the possibilities. So sue me.
Here’s a wiki that’s being put to good use by a track and field team in Deer Valley, CO. Here’s the rationale:
Making our website a wiki makes it easier for us to keep it up-to-date. And a wiki is perfect for a track team since we have so many coaches working in the many track & field events. We can all up date when we feel like it.
Seems so, I don’t know, logical somehow. And I have to say that pbwiki (which is where I’ve been creating most of my wikis lately) is really doing some neat things to help make wiki sites prettier too. (Uh-oh…was that hucksterism?)
And speaking of wikis, have you been to Wikiville lately? More and more kids from around the world are adding information about their places. It’s one way that you might want to think about introducing your students to wikis. (How was that, Tom?)
Arizona not Colorado. Long live AZ!
Let me clarify my concern about “hucksterism.” I’m not worried that you’re recommending specific applications or products. It is just the tone you have to be careful about. Particularly as you make the transition from teacher talking to other teachers to a not-teacher talking to teachers. What you’re really selling now is “Brand Will,” and the transition will require some delicacy.
That was fine, by the way 😉